Mami's Crunch - Power Ball - Apr. 2, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Mami's Crunch
Power Ball
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .61 oz. (17.2 g.) (estimate) for 1 ball
Calories: 62 calories (estimate) for 1 ball
Cost: $2.00 for 1 ball
Purchased from: Mami's Crunch, Thursday Marin Farmers' Market, San Rafael, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week.

Today's Power Ball snack was mindfully created with organic ingredients by Naomi Tomoda and Mami of Mami's Crunch (Novato, CA). 

The colorfully-wrapped ball (seated in an inner, green paper cup) had subtle chocolate, coconut and mild nut aroma notes.

The first bite revealed a satisfying and substantial soft chew, and smooth, authentic cacao and (finely shredded) coconut taste and texture. While you can finish this ball in one bite, I suggest taking a few bites slowing down to enjoy the pure, light, well-integrated flavors. 

Unlike many snacks, this health-conscious Power Ball was not too sweet (thank you!). Date, fig, maca and coconut ingredients provided natural sweetness and/or moistness. 

Ingredients: "Dried date, dried fig, almond better, raw cacao powder, maca, coconut cream, coconut oil, coconut flake."

Allergen-related information: Contained tree nuts (almond, coconut).

 

Food Creation Nation - No Bake Protein Bar Mix - Mar. 25, 2022

Chocolate of the Day

Made for Food Creation Nation
No Bake Protein Bar Mix
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 10.5 oz. (297 g.) in total package of mix
Calories: 200 calories in 4 prepared protein balls
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package 
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week, featuring chocolate in many forms including bars, bites, balls, squares, pieces and truffles. Sometimes these snacks are both sweet and savory/salty. Sometimes they're not as sweet, and may be part of a high-protein snack.

Today's No Bake Protein Bar Mix was made for Food Creation Nation (Calabasas, CA). This starter mix, helped me easily and quickly create my own snacks (with instructions on adding more or less of various fats and liquids/sweeteners to taste). 

This offering provided a great base for many different recipes. I made two different flavors (batches) of protein balls today: 1.) Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Banana, and 2.) Cacao Nibs, Cinnamon and Chili.  (Later I made other shapes and tried different spice, nut and fruit flavors.)

The base mix had an aroma with chocolate and subtle coconut and nut notes and had the appearance of a thick brown sugar with tiny bits of coconut.

Pea protein added satisfying heft--allowing me to eat a few balls without feeling a sugar high or cravings later. Unlike the first protein dry mixes, there was no overly gritty, grainy or powdery/dry texture. The mix was finely ground enough to provide a relatively smooth, substantial base. It had enough base flavor to be a compelling foundation for protein balls, bars or bites.

The flavor: nutty, substantial, coconut bit texture and flavor, true chocolate (like a brownie without being overly sweet, with a relatively clean finish.

The protein balls I made were fast and easy to make. It was easy to customize the flavors I wanted with this base. I chilled them in the refrigerator for a few minutes and really enjoyed them. For those on the go, this is a great way to get started making protein snacks (and children can help too).

sweetness level - totally adjustable, depending on option level you choose. Like Asian tea places you opt for the sweetness level that fits your taste. Great idea. Semisweet chocolate chips and monk fruit as well as the dried coconut in the mix provided the right level of sweetness for me. Others are invited to add agave, honey or maple syrup (with suggested quantity listed).

Ingredients: 

Allergen-related information: Contained Brazil nuts, coconuts. Certified GlutenFree; Non-GMO Project Verified; Certified Vegan; Keto Certified. 

Health Lab - Cacao Sea Salt Collagen Ball - July 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Lab
Cacao Sea Salt Collagen Ball
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) for 1 package
Calories: 196 calories in 1 ball
Cost: $0.69 for 1 ball
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's Cacao Sea Salt Collagen* Ball ("Beauty Snack for hair, skin and nails") was from Health Lab (Melbourne, Australia).

This chocolate had the even aroma and flavor of a fudge brownie, only chewier.
It had a thick, substantial texture and was satisfying, with a sweet cocoa aftertaste.

The added sea salt was quite subtle but was present throughout the tasting experience at about the same level.

*The company uses marine collagen for its collagen balls.

Health Lab - Cacao Protein Ball - June 23, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Lab
Cacao Protein "Energize" Ball
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in 1 ball
Calories: 172 calories in 1 ball
Cost: $0.69 for 1 ball
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Cashews Theme Week.

Today's Cacao Protein "Energize" Ball was made in Australia for Health Lab (Australia, with a U.S. presence).

Health Lab was founded in 2015 by Jess Thomas (who formerly worked at L'Oreal), as a "wellness and beauty brand inspired by what read women need and want." Great marketing statement, but how did the product taste?

The generously-sized, date-sweetened Cacao Protein Ball had a fudgey, substantial chew and flavor; and it contained a short list of ingredients* including Whey Protein and cashews, that made it more satisfying.

According to Health Lab representatives, their protein balls are gluten and grain free and the balls contain "no gluten, no soy, no palm oil, no artificial colors or flavors."

*Ingredients: "Dates, Cashew Nuts, Organic and Fair Trade Coconut, Raw Cacao (8%), Whey Protein Concentrate (8%), Water, Sea Salt" 

Bounce USA - Orange Cacao Protein Energy Ball - April 16, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bounce USA

Orange Cacao Protein Energy Ball

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.48 oz. (42 g.) in 1 ball/package

Calories: 170 calories in 1 ball/package

Cost: $1.09 for 1 ball/package

Purchased from: Missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Orange Theme Week.

Today's Orange Cacao Protein Energy Ball was manufactured in the US for Bounce USA (Bend, OR).

This substantial, chewy protein* ball had natural, balanced chocolate and orange flavor and a healthy dose of crunchy cacao nibs. The natural flavors were more present, vs. the traditional, tell-tale grainy, protein bar taste. Hurray. Also cause for celebration: this protein energy item was not overly sweet. Thank you!

*This Non-GMO Orange Cacao Protein Energy Ball contained 9 grams of protein. It was made without artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It was gluten free, but did contain milk (whey protein).

Note: This Orange Cacao flavor did not appear on the company's website on the date of this posting. So, it's not clear if it's a new, or possibly a discontinued, flavor. There was a Cacao Mint flavor though.

Laraber Bites - Mint Chocolate Truffle - July 6, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Larabar Bites
Mint Chocolate Truffle
Good
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 5.3 oz. (150 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 1 serving (4 pieces)
Cost: $2.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Mint Theme Week.

Today's Mint Chocolate Truffle Larabar Bites were created by Larabar (Minneapolis, MN) and distributed by Small Planet Foods, Inc. (a division of General Mills).

These Bites came in bite-sized round ball shapes; and the most powerful flavors came from the mint, coconut and dried fruit/dates. Chocolate was more of a background flavor and texture.

The straight-forward ingredients list included just six items: dates, almonds, fair trade chocolate chips, cocoa powder, peppermint oil and coconut flour.

Made in Nature - Figgy Pops Choco Crunch Energy Balls - June 29, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Made in Nature, LLC
Figgy Pops - Choco Crunch Supersnacks
Good
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 4.2 oz. (119 g.) in total package
Calories: 130 calories in 2 pops
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Sprouts, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Cacao Nibs, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Figgy Pops Choco Crunch Supersnacks* were distributed by Made in Nature, LLC (Boulder, CO). They're part of a growing number of "energy ball" offerings in the market in recent years.

Moist and crunchy don't often co-exist in the same food item. However, these organic, round Figgy Pops pulled it off. They were moist and fruity (dates, figs, tart cherries), with a hint of cocoa and coconut flavor. And they had a slight, satisfying crunch (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cacao nibs). They were lightly sweetened (apple juice) and seasoned (Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, cinnamon, sea salt).

*These Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified Unbaked Energy Balls also had one of the longer descriptive product names this week.